Pledge broken on election day

Kristy Debono’s Talking Point ‘A case of Identity Labour’ (October 12) brought to mind Labour’s pre-election promise of a clean and transparent administration, where what counts is your ability and not who you are or whom you know, and where one’s political beliefs do not matter.

The slogan Malta TagħnaLkoll was a pre-election hit but unfortunately its lifetime was rather short.

It only survived until the election results were out.

The majority of the electorate blindly believed in Labour’s promises and voted Labour, resulting in an overwhelming victory for that party.

However, immediately after Labour’s honeymoon was over, the Maltese electorate began to raise eyebrows.

We have the largest Cabinet ever, thus satisfying most of the elected candidates and their canvassers who are placed in ‘positions of trust’.

We were also promised an efficient public transport. According to the Transport Minister, Arriva was inefficient and he sent the company packing, only to bring in Autobuses de Leon and give this company three times the subsidy.

To date, there have been nothing but complaints from the public who feel they have been taken for a ride by the new bus service.

We have never had it so bad.

Those who appeared on billboards before the election are thanking their lucky stars as they have never had it so good and are making the most of it. Thousands of euros in taxpayer money are being distributed to the trusted few, while those who really need the money – the sick who cannot afford a treatment – have to rely on financial help from the Community Chest Fund.

While on the subject, I have great admiration for President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca for her energy and efforts in helping the vulnerable, continually organising events to raise funds, but the general opinion is that this prestigious office has become a fund raiser.